Reproductive Health Manager

Location

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

October 2021. Full time, 12 to 24 months.

Role Overview

Improve the overall health situation of the target population, implementing quality health services and contributing to the achievement of proposal objectives within the planned timescale and budget, for the areas of responsibility within the health project. While being involved in the overall health and nutrition project, this role has a particular responsibility for reproductive health (RH), working for the provision of services including ante-natal care, post-natal care, 24-hour skilled delivery and management of sexual and gender-based violence. Build the capacity of the local health team by providing relevant supervision, training and technical support; contributing to monitoring and reporting on project progress; and liaising with community leaders and health officials.

Project Overview

Medair’s goal in Pibor County is to reduce morbidity and mortality in vulnerable displaced and host populations through the provision of emergency WASH, healthcare, and nutrition services. The greater Pibor area is affected by multiple humanitarian crises including inter-communal violence, displacement, food insecurity, flooding, and poor access to services. In accordance with its humanitarian mandate, Medair has opened a new static site to provide emergency health, nutrition and WASH interventions in Pibor, and includes re-opening Primary Health Care Units in Lekuangole and Gumuruk.  The goal of RH in Gumuruk and Lekuangole is Basic emergency newborn and obstetric care (BEmONC) services in line with national guidelines and work towards implementation of the Minimal Initial Service Package (MISP) —including antenatal care, skilled delivery, postnatal care and family planning services. Multisectoral integration with WASH and nutrition services is critical including roll out of MAMI (Management of small & nutritionally at-risk infants under six months & their mothers) linked to perinatal care and mother and infant screening. Medair is also implementing integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) in remote villages where access to healthcare is difficult, and is also setting up Care Groups through which behavioural change communication messages including Infant and Young Child in Emergency messages are cascaded to the community.

Our Culture

Key Activity Areas

Health Management

• Be responsible for the start-up, implementation, management, supervision and support of the integrated RH services in Lekuangole and Gumuruk Clinics in line with the activity plan and time frame of the relevant project proposal and any applicable national and international guidelines and standards.
• Conduct regular field trips to the clinics and communities for support and supervision focusing on the Reproductive health components of the program and other health or nutrition areas.
• Integrate key RH packages including MISP, Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal care (BEmONC) and MAMI linkages in the two health facilities and surrounding communities.
• Ensure international standards and quality benchmarks in RH service delivery are achieved in Pibor.
• Provide training, capacity building and support for midwives and RH practitioners in the field locations.
• Ensure that regular monitoring and evaluation assessments are conducted both against project objectives and to ensure the quality of the programme, with reports being made to the field project managers and health advisor.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability in all aspects of the project with a particular emphasis on women’s RH issues and SGBV. Oversee the process of data collection, collation and dissemination to meet the requirements and deadlines set by Medair and/or external partners related to RH.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of supervised activities for internal and external reports.
• Input into the development of the Pibor intervention strategy, new projects and/or donor proposals as requested by field managers. Occasionally, provide over-the phone, after-hours midwifery advice as needed.
• Manage the correct and timely ordering of all necessary medicines, supplies and equipment for the assigned RH facilities and activities, ensuring minimum stocks are maintained and items are stored and distributed correctly.
• Ensure accurate documentation for all RH stock keeping and stock movement in the field location.
• Ensure good quality RH stock keeping in field locations, including cold chain management and proper storage of medical supplies. Manage relocatable and locally recruited RH staff working in the health facilities.
• Maintain a focus on building the RH capacity of the team, delegating tasks under supervision.

Quality Management

• Raise the overall standard of the technical aspects of reproductive health services, in line with South Sudan and international guidelines. Provide technical support to RH staff through on the job, and group training.
• Perform other tasks as required, as requested by the Project Coordinator including cross coverage for quality supervision in health and nutrition. Promote and use the Medair intranet and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed.
• Implement, as far as is possible within operational constraints, relevant policies and standards relating to health service delivery including Sphere and HAP standards, Ministry of Health and donor guidelines and other good practice.
• Participate in Medair internal workshops and distance learning sessions to keep up with new guidelines and best practices.

Staff Management

• Assist the project manager to manage and oversee the assigned health team including recruitment, day-to-day management, development, training, and appraisals.
• Facilitate regular team meetings with the RH team, reviewing team and individual objectives, ensuring team members are kept informed of issues relevant to their work and providing an opportunity for feedback.
• Ensure the assigned health team members receive relevant and appropriate supervision, coaching, mentoring and training in order to develop their personal and professional skills, knowledge and understanding.
• Promote the health and security of the health team by ensuring the application of security guidelines, health and safety in the workplace and healthy living conditions and practices.

Financial Management

• Work with the relevant field project managers to plan, construct and manage health budgets for the assigned health project(s). Coordinate and oversee petty cash requirements of the assigned health team, ensuring all required paperwork is completed accurately and in a timely manner.

Communication & Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned health team, Medair in-country health managers and advisors and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represent Medair at local level coordination meetings involving local authorities, UN agencies and other NGOs.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Clinical degree or diploma (nurse, midwife or doctor).
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

What is the ROC and why is it required?

Experience

• 2 years post-qualification midwifery / nursing / medical professional experience.
• Strong clinical background. Able to communicate ideas clearly, such as in guidelines and job aids.
• Able to develop and maintain effective relationships with colleagues, beneficiaries, other agencies and local authorities.
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standards & international humanitarian guidelines & protocols desirable.
• Able to oversee multiple tasks. Willingness to support others and to share workload.
• Aptitude for community mobilisation and capacity-building. Planning, assessment and analytical skills.